On this topic, perhaps someone can offer me some advice on resuscitating my ailing carambola. Last summer I bought a Sri Kembangan that was about 4-5' tall in a 5 gal pot. I initially put it in a large, ~20 gal container, in full sun where it suffered. Then I moved it to an in-ground spot in full sun where it suffered some more, and finally to a raised bed in my garden, also in full sun, where it continues to suffer. I know, more or less, what I've done wrong: it was far too exposed to sun and heat last summer, and later, in the winter, it was stripped bare by our Santa Ana winds. It suffered some dieback of its smaller limbs, but is now pushing new gowth.
I hate to beat up its roots further by transplanting it yet another time, but I'm pretty sure it will never have a shot at doing well unless I put it back in a container and move it to a much more sheltered position, on the west side of my house, between the house and a 6' cinder block wall. It will receive only about 2-3 hours of direct sun there, at least until it grows taller than the wall. Here are my questions:
- Should I move the plant to the above mentioned location?
- If so, should I put it back into a large container, rather than putting it in the ground there?
- If I put it in a container, what soil mix would you recommend for carambolas?
Thanks to anyone who can advise me.
James